Hand held skin treatment spray system

ABSTRACT

A spray nozzle system for skin treatments includes separate air outlets moving over the skin surface to deliver one or more streams of supplemental air for the purpose of warming or drying the skin surface to improve efficacy and comfort of the spraying experience. The drying air from the auxiliary ports may be applied while spray is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature, or may be applied before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off, to warm or dry the skin. A heating source is provided to warm the air directed through one or more supplemental air ports. In the case of air-atomizing nozzles, the supplemental air is delivered through low pressure ports separately from the air emitted through the nozzle&#39;s atomizing and pattern shaping orifices to minimize the expansion cooling effect inherent with the spray nozzle ports. In another implementation, the airflow is redirected from the nozzle jets to one or more of the supplemental ports using a control valve which proportions the amount of airflow directed to the main atomizer air jets, the pattern shaping air jets and the supplemental air for drying the skin.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application forPatent No. 61/266,810, filed Dec. 4, 2009, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Spray devices for the application of liquids onto human skin and hairare well known. Sprays are used for many types of medicines, skintreatments, hair treatments, deodorants, lotions, and cosmetic agents.Specialized hand-held and automated spray systems have recently beenintroduced in tanning salons and spa treatment centers to apply sunlesstanning compounds and skin care formulas, such as moisturizers,anti-aging treatments, and exfoliants. The spray solution used forsunless tanning is generally a water-based mixture of DHA(dihydroxyacetone) and/or erythrulose and various other skin careingredients such as aloe vera. Often a cosmetic bronzer is added alongwith pleasant scents and ingredients to enhance tanning performance,such as formulations to balance skin ph. For best results, the sprayingof the solution utilizes a finely atomized spray (mist), as opposed tothe use of a spray stream or large spray droplets, because the mist ofsolution provides for even coverage and reduces the risk of streaking orrunning of the spray deposit.

The skin treatment spray process has inherently been a cold,uncomfortable experience for the recipient as nozzle expansion effectssignificantly cool the air and liquid in the spray cloud duringapplication to the skin. Furthermore, cold skin is known to inhibitoptimum absorption of the skin care ingredients. Temperatures of thespray cloud can be over 30 degrees (F.) lower than human bodytemperature due to nozzle cooling and significantly cooler than ambienttemperature (of the air or the liquid). Heating of the spray liquid orthe atomization air has a negligible effect on increasing spray cloudtemperature due to the rapid cooling produced as the spray jet expandswhen exiting the nozzle. This phenomenon is magnified when usingair-atomizing nozzles; the type most desirable for producing a finelyatomized spray mist.

In salons, customers disrobe for the spray treatment which lasts from 30seconds to 5 minutes. Some treatments involve sequential spray regimensof alternate ingredients so the experience can be significantly longer.Thus, the length of time the customer is exposed to cold can besignificant and may discourage the customer from obtaining the treatmentin the first place or returning for an additional treatment at a laterdate.

After the spray treatment customers often use a towel to dry their skin.The action of toweling-off removes a significant quantity of the sprayedingredients from the skin. The remaining ingredients may beredistributed, which can produce a splotchy appearance in the case ofsunless tanning or other cosmetic treatments. If the customer opts notto use a towel, and instead simply dry off in the ambient air or fromthe cool air of air-atomizing nozzles, the surface of the skin canbecome sticky.

Many tanning salons providing the new sunless spray tanning service alsohave conventional UV lamp tanning beds. Customers have observed thatapplication of sunless tanning solutions quickly after they use a UVtanning bed can result in a deeper and darker DHA tan. It is importantto move from the UV tanning bed to receive a spray of sunless tanningsolution as quickly as possible. It is also essential to remove allperspiration resulting from the UV treatment or the tan result can beuneven. The benefits of UV tanning coupled with a sunless tanning spraymay be due to opening the pores of the skin and from more thoroughly andmore deeply drying out of the top skin layer by the hot UV lamps.However, due to skin health concerns, many customers do not wish to usethe UV beds and therefore cannot take advantage of this practice toenhance their sunless tan.

DHA tans the skin by reacting with proteins in the stratum corneum, thetop protective skin layer composed of dead skin cells. It is known thatonly the uppermost dry layers of the stratum corneum will taneffectively with DHA or erythrulose. Very dry skin will pigment thedarkest and layers containing surface moisture will not tan nearly aswell. Skin care specialists suggest using a warm towel on the skinbefore application of spray treatments since warm skin may better absorbsome ingredients. However, a skin surface that is too hot will perspire,thus reducing the effectiveness of the sprayed ingredients.

A need exists in the art to address the foregoing issues in connectionwith providing a better sunless tanning experience and result for theconsumer.

Reference is further made to Venuto, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,208 (thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) which teaches atanning spray booth implementation with a nozzle operable to both spraytanning solution and deliver drying air when not spraying.

Reference is also made to Safara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,937 (thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference) which teaches abidet sprayer implementation operable to both spray cleaning waterstreams and deliver drying air when not spraying.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein propose the controlled application of warmdry air over the skin before, during and after applications of atomized(misted) sunless tanning sprays using a hand held spray type system.This controlled application enhances efficacy of the tanning compoundsand results in a deeper tan color and a longer lasting tan. In addition,the mixing of heated dry air into the atomized spray cloud reduces thediscomfort caused by the inherently cold spray stream. Furthermore, warmdry air, applied during and after short spray sequences enhances thespray uniformity result and produces a softer characteristic feel of thespray ingredients on the skin, while reducing complaints of “stickiness”or “tackiness” by the consumer. Deposition efficiency and uniformity ofthe tan result is improved since the towel dry step after the spraysession is no longer necessary.

A spray nozzle system in a hand held spray format is presented forapplying topical skin treatments, such as sunless tanning formulations,medicines, and lotions. Specifically, liquids or suspensions are appliedto human skin using a hand held spray system which allows for controlledoperation of a heated air system and an atomizing spray liquiddispensing system.

A spray nozzle system includes auxiliary air outlets positioned near theliquid spray outlet of the spray nozzle to deliver one or more streamsof warming air for the purpose of drying the skin surface and mixingwith the spray cloud so as to improve the comfort of the sprayingexperience. The drying air from the auxiliary ports may be applied whilethe spray cloud is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloudtemperature (and thus counteract the temperature drop caused by nozzleexpansion effects), or may be applied before or after the sprayapplication, with the spray turned off, to warm or dry the skin.

A heating source is provided to warm the air that is directed throughone or more air outlets. In a preferred embodiment, a heating element isincorporated into the hand held sprayer. The heating element may bepositioned at the air outlet or in the air conduit within the hand heldspray device or in the air hose to the air outlets or at the air pump.In the case of air atomizing nozzles, the warming air is supplemental tothe atomizing air at the nozzle and is delivered through low pressureoutlets separate from the air emitted through the nozzle's atomizingand/or pattern shaping orifices to minimize the expansion cooling effectinherent with the spray nozzle ports.

In another embodiment, the heated airflow is redirected from the nozzlejets to one or more of the supplemental air outlets. In this embodiment,a control valve may be used to proportion the amount of airflow directedto the main atomizer air jets, the pattern shaping air jets and thesupplemental air outlets for drying the skin.

The method of applying warm dry air between layered applications ofatomized spray deposition has been found to make the experience of skinspray treatments much more comfortable as well as improve coatinguniformity. In addition, this method provides an improved tack-free feelof the spray deposit on the skin both during and after the spraysession. In the case of sunless tanning with active ingredients such asErythrulose or DHA (dihydroxyacetone), the system provides for animproved tanning color and increased longevity of the tan.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises: a hand held spray member; aspray nozzle supported by the hand held spray member, the spray nozzleincluding a spray jet outlet adapted to spray a skin treatment liquidfrom the spray nozzle and produce a finely atomized spray cloud of theskin treatment liquid; an air outlet separate from the spray jet outlet,the air outlet adapted to deliver heated air in an air stream directedto mix with the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the spray jetoutlet; and a controller adapted to control actuation of the spraynozzle.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for hand held spraying comprises: ahousing adapted to be held by a human hand; a spray nozzle mounted tothe housing, the spray nozzle including a spray jet outlet adapted tospray a skin treatment liquid from the spray nozzle and produce a finelyatomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid for deposition on atarget surface; at least one auxiliary air outlet mounted to the housingseparate from the spray jet outlet, said auxiliary air outlet adapted todeliver a stream of heated air; and a controller operable to selectivelyactuate the spray nozzle and support operation of the apparatus for handheld spraying in multiple modes. A first operating mode is operable todirect the stream of heated air to mix with the produced finely atomizedspray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet so as to warm a temperatureof the finely atomized spray cloud which has been cooled by nozzleexpansion effect at the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle. A secondoperating mode is operable to direct the stream of heated air in theabsence of production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skintreatment liquid from the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle so as todry the target surface upon which the skin treatment liquid wasdeposited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained byreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a spraying system adapted for use in ahand held spraying application;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary implementation of a hand held sprayer ofthe type shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the hand heldsprayer shown in FIG. 2 focusing on the nozzle;

FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate modes of operation for the nozzle portionshown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an alternative implementation of aspraying system adapted for use in a hand held spraying application; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate views of an electrostatic air-atomizingnozzle for use in a hand held sprayer like that shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically illustrates aspraying system 10 adapted for use, for example, in a hand held sprayingapplication. The system 10 is configured to separately and/orsimultaneously apply an atomized mist of skin treatment liquid and astream of drying/warming air towards a target surface 12 (for example, acustomer's skin). The system 10 comprises a hand held spray member (inthis case schematically represented by a dotted enclosing line 14,wherein the enclosing line 14 for the spray member generally indicatesthe use of any suitable enclosure or housing configuration including,for example, a simple structural mount to which spray member componentsare mounted or a casing which completely encapsulates the spray membercomponents). The line 14 thus generally represents the support,enclosure or housing configuration of the hand held spray member.

Supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of thespray member is a nozzle 30 that includes a spray jet outlet 32. Thespray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30 sources a finely atomized spraycloud (for example, a mist cloud) 33 of the skin treatment liquid aimedgenerally in a spray direction 36. Further supported by the support,enclosure or housing configuration 14 is a heated air outlet 34. Theheated air outlet 34 sources a relatively lower pressure heated airstream 37 aimed generally in an air direction 38. The spray direction 36and air direction 38 are both aimed towards the target surface 12. In apreferred embodiment, the spray direction 36 intersects 70 the airdirection 38 such that the air stream 37 mixes with the atomized spraycloud 33 prior to atomized spray cloud 33 contact with the targetsurface 12. Even more particularly, the air direction 38 is aimed suchthat the air stream 37 mixes with a leading edge 39 of the atomizedspray cloud 33 (in terms of a primary direction of hand held spraymember movement when applying the skin treatment liquid to the targetsurface 12).

The nozzle 30 with spray jet outlet 32 may comprise any suitable finelyatomizing spray nozzle assembly known to those skilled in the art. Forexample, the nozzle 30 may comprise any known air-assisted typeatomizing nozzle (such as an air atomizing nozzle, a high volume, lowpressure (HVLP) nozzle, and the like). In the case of an air-atomizingnozzle, either a single air source or separate air sources may be usedfor providing the relatively low pressure air for the air streamdelivered at the air outlet 34 and the relatively higher pressure airused by the nozzle 30 to atomize the spray liquid and form the spraycloud 33 (as well as the relatively higher pressure air used by thenozzle 30 shape the pattern of the emitted spray cloud). Alternatively,the nozzle 30 may comprise a suitable hydraulic nozzle, or other type ofnozzle such as a sonic nozzle, in which case only a single air source isneeded for providing the relatively lower pressure air for the airstream delivered at the heated air outlet 34 (and perhaps also providethe relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle 30 shape thepattern of the emitted spray cloud). The nozzle 30 may also supportelectrostatic spraying of the skin treatment liquid and the system 10may support ionized application of the air stream, as discussed in moredetail herein.

Also supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 ofthe hand held spray member is a liquid control valve 52 coupled betweena liquid inlet 53 and the nozzle 30 by ducting 50. The liquid controlvalve 52 at the very least controls the state (on/off) of passage ofskin treatment liquid received at the liquid inlet 53 to the spray jetoutlet 32 of the nozzle 30. In addition, the liquid control valve 52 mayfurther control a rate of flow of skin treatment liquid received at theliquid inlet 53 to the spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30. In eithercase, the passed skin treatment liquid is atomized at the spray jetoutlet 32 to form the spray cloud 33. With respect to controlling thestate and rate of flow of skin treatment liquid, the valve 52 maycomprise any suitably controlled fluid flow valve (for example, separatefrom the nozzle 30), and in an alternate implementation may comprise aneedle valve adjustment mechanism within the nozzle 30 that acts on thenozzle jet outlet 32. Actuation of the liquid control valve 52 in thehand held spray member implementation is controlled in response to acontroller 24 (for example, of the trigger-control type).

The liquid inlet 53 is coupled to a liquid source 22. The liquid source22 is preferably a container that is filled with the skin treatmentliquid. That container is preferably coupled to and carried by thesupport, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spraymember. One alternative implementation utilizes an external tankconfiguration to store the skin treatment liquid with that tank coupledto the liquid inlet 53 using a hose. Another implementation uses acontainer with a relatively small amount of skin treatment liquid (forexample, one or a few doses selected for each spray session orapplication) that is removably received by a receptacle 65 formed in thesupport, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spraymember and coupled to the liquid inlet 53.

The reference to a liquid source 22 includes the use of a single liquidtank supplying a single type (or container) of liquid for sprayapplication as well as the use of multiple liquid tanks (or containers)each containing a distinct liquid for customer selection and skinapplication. When multiple tanks are provided, the customer can design amulti-product spray session. The operation of the system 10 can beadapted to optimize the spray experience based on the liquid selectionsmade by the customer. Selection may be made by the user between thedifferent spray liquid products.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14of the hand held spray member is an air heating system 54 coupled tosupply heated air to the air outlet 34 that sources the air stream 37.The air heating system 54 receives air from an air inlet 55 and heatsthe air to a higher temperature than the temperature of the air asreceived. Any suitable heating element could be used within the airheating system 54, for example, an element of resistive wire type, thatheating element receiving power from a power supply that is eitherexternal or internal of hand held spray member. The heating element forthe air heating system 54 can be incorporated directly into the airducting 51 or positioned at the exit of the air outlet 34. In anexemplary implementation, the heating element for the air heating system154 is positioned in a handle of the hand held spray member (see, FIG.2).

In a preferred implementation, the air inlet 55 receives ambienttemperature air from an air source (not shown) external to the enclosureor housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray member. The airheating system 54 then heats the received ambient temperature air to aheated air temperature, and perhaps controls air flow state and/or rateof delivery, so that the air stream 37 sourced by the air outlet 34 iswarmer than the ambient air temperature. This heated air in the outputair stream 37 is at a relatively low pressure and mixes with theatomized spray cloud 33 prior to spray cloud 33 contact with the targetsurface 12.

The air inlet 55 preferably receives ambient temperature air from an airsource (not shown) external to the enclosure or housing configuration 14of the hand held spray member. The air heating system 54 then heats thereceived ambient temperature air so that the air stream 37 sourced bythe air outlet 34 is warmer than the ambient air temperature (i.e.,warmer than the air temperature where the target 12 is located). Theheated air output from the air outlet 34 in the heated air stream 37mixes with the atomized spray cloud 33 prior to spray cloud 33 contactwith the target surface 12.

In an alternative implementation, the air heating system 54 (and its airsource) is positioned external to the enclosure or housing configuration14 of the hand held spray member. In this case no internal heatingsystem is needed within the support, enclosure or housing configuration14 of the hand held spray member, and the air inlet 55 could be directlycoupled to the ducting 51 for the air outlet 34.

Actuation of the air heating system 54 in the hand held spray memberimplementation may be controlled in response to the controller 24, ormay be automatically actuated whenever the system 10 is in operation.For example, with respect to an electrically powered air heating system54, the controller 24 may respond to actuation of the trigger 24 bysupplying power to the air heating system 54. The heating element insuch an implementation would have an operating characteristic supportinga relatively fast heat-up time so that liquid spraying with heated airdelivery is not delayed.

The heating system 54 may further function to control delivery of thatair at a heated temperature to the air outlet 34. The control exercisedwith respect to the air processed by the air heating system 54 maycomprise one or both of controlling the heated air temperature and/orcontrolling air flow state (on/off) and/or rate of delivery, and thiscontrol may be provided through the same controller 24 that controlsliquid valve 52 or through a separate controller, as desired.

This heated air in some implementations does not assist with the higherpressure atomization of the liquid or assist with any pattern shaping ofthe spray cloud. The included heating element is thus incorporateddirectly into the air ducting 51 for the air outlet 34 or is positionedat the exit of the air outlet 34.

The source of air supplied to inlet 55 is preferably an ambient airsupply using, for example, a fan, blower or compressor. The compressorof the air supply may be any suitable air moving device, such as a fan,blower, turbine, or piston, rotary or diaphragm compressor, or other airpump. The operation of the air supply may itself provide some heating ofthe air, thus obviating the need for an additional heating element toheat the air within the hand held spray member. For example, when a highvolume, low pressure (HVLP) nozzle (see, FIG. 2) is used for nozzle 30,the nozzle's air turbine itself, when in operation, will act as a heatedair source. Additionally, when an air atomizer is used for the nozzle 30it is preferred to use a common compressor (air supply) for sourcing airfor both air atomization at the spray jet outlet 32 (and perhaps patternshaping of the spray cloud) and the supply of air to be heated fordelivery at the air output 34, rather than have a separate source of airfor each.

The controller 24 for the hand held spray member is used at the veryleast to control delivery production of the spray cloud 33, and mayfurther be used to control delivery of the air stream 37. This controlcan be exercised through actuation of a triggering mechanism at thecontroller 24. In particular, through the use of the trigger controller,the user may control the delivery of liquid spray from the nozzle sprayjet outlet 32 and/or the delivery of heated air from the air outlet 34before, during or after the liquid spray is applied. In essence, thecontroller functions to control the application of the liquid spray andheated air (for example, simultaneously or sequentially/alternatively).

The controller 24 may comprise any suitable electrical, mechanical, orelectro-mechanical control system that is responsive to user actuationto control operation of the hand held spray member in support of thevarious operating modes described herein. For example, the controller 24may control the control valve 52 in connection with controlling thesupply of liquid. As discussed in further detail below, the controller24 may further control the delivery of heated air in the air stream 37,and additionally control a proportional division of heated air foroutput in the air stream and use as atomization and pattern shaping airat the nozzle 30. In addition, the heated air may be delivered throughany included the atomizing port(s) and pattern shaping port(s). Thecontroller 24 may further control operation of the heating system 54 soas to control the temperature of the heated air in the air stream 37.

The system implements a number of safety features. First, the airheating system 117 includes a thermal switch and a thermal fuse todetect malfunction, improper operation or dangerous conditions in theair heating system 117 itself. These features may operate toself-control the air heating system 117 and may further be used assensors to provide output information used by the controller 24 withrespect to safely controlling system operation. The controller 24 maysense operating conditions of the system, for example, temperature, airflow, liquid flow, electrical problems (shorts, opens, over-current,over-voltage, power, ground faults, error messages, and the like), andrespond to control operation of the system. For example, the controllermay sense an over temperature condition within the air heating system117 and cut off power supplied to the air heating system 117. As anotherexample, the controller may sense reduced or absent air flow at the airinlet and cut power from the air heating system 117 to preventoverheating. The controller may further sense reduced or absent liquidflow and provide a warning signal or otherwise change operating mode ofthe system. The controller could still further monitor the operation ofany equipment, such as an air supply or power supply, coupled to thehand held sprayer and respond to errors or problems in that equipmentwith a change of operation for the sprayer. The equipment coupled to thesprayer may also detect disconnection of the sprayer and terminatesupply of air and power. Lastly, the controller supports implementationof a cool-down mode at the end of a spraying session to pass air throughthe heating system.

In a preferred embodiment the production of the spray cloud 33 outputfrom spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30 is controlled separately fromthe delivery of heated air in the air stream 37 output from air outlet34 to allow a sequence of operations to be performed in connection withthe spraying skin treatment, such as pre-warming of the skin (withoutspraying), followed by separate spraying (with warming air) and drying(without spraying) cycles. The air stream 37 output from the air outlet34 is provided in a controlled manner for a number of purposes: topre-warm the skin, to warm the edge of the spray cloud 33 as theatomized spray jet is naturally bent due to movement of the hand heldspray member, and to provide a drying air stream after a sprayoperation. Alternatively, the production of the spray cloud 33 outputfrom spray jet outlet 32 of the nozzle 30 may be controlled in adependent and proportional manner with respect to the delivery of heatedair in the air stream 37 output from air outlet 34.

The ability of the system to move among and between various operatingmodes is designed to enhance the consumer's spray tanning experience andimprove the tanning result. Warm air from the air drying outlet servesto prepare the skin for treatment, warm the skin for customer comfort,and dry the skin evenly after application. Alternating between sprayapplication and warm air application improves the tanning result.Furthermore, mixing warm air application with the spray cloud 33 reducesthe discomfort experienced by the consumer due temperature drop of thespray liquid.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates an exemplaryimplementation of a hand held sprayer of the type shown in FIG. 1. Thesupport, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spraymember implementation includes a suitably sized and shaped housing 92for containing the nozzle 30, air outlet 34, ducting 50 and 51 for airand liquid flow, valve 52 for controlling liquid flow, air heatingsystem 54 and the trigger-type controller 24 functionality forcontrolling operation of the hand held spray member. In an exemplaryconfiguration, the housing 92 includes a barrel shaped portion 94 (forexample, containing the nozzle 30, air outlet 34, and ducting 50 and 51for air and liquid flow) and a handle shaped portion 96 (for example,containing ducting 50 and 51 for air and liquid flow, air heating system54 and the trigger-type controller 24 functionality for controllingoperation of the hand held spray member).

The front of the enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand heldspray member implementation shows use of a spray nozzle 30 of the airatomizing type with the spray jet outlet 32 and first air ports 90provided immediately adjacent the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 and asecond air port 91 provided annularly surrounding the spray jet outlet32. The first air ports 90 supply relatively higher pressure air used bythe nozzle 30 for pattern shaping of the spray cloud, for example, toshape the spray cloud into a flat fan-like spray shape. The second airport 91 supplies relatively higher pressure air used by the nozzle foratomization of the spray liquid to create the spray cloud. The front ofthe support, enclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand heldspray member implementation further shows the air outlet 34 forsupplying relatively lower pressure air for mixing with the spray cloudseparate and apart from the nozzle 30 and its air ports 90 and 91. Itwill be understood that the relatively lower pressure air supplied fromthe air outlet 34 is output in a separate and distinct air stream 37from the relatively higher pressure air supplied to the air ports 90 and91 which is output for atomization and pattern shaping. Thus, in thisparticular implementation, the air supplied from the air outlet 34 maybe referred to as “supplemental” air, meaning that this air suppliedsupplemental to the atomization and pattern shaping air supplied fromthe air ports 90 and 91. Furthermore, it should be understood that thepattern shaping air port 90 could provide the functionality of the airoutlet 34 to supply warming air to the spray cloud (and thus obviate theneed for the air outlet 34) provided that the air output from thepattern shaping air port 90 could be satisfactorily supplied for patternshaping at a relatively lower pressure which would not contribute to thecooling effect of nozzle expansion.

The physical embodiment of the housing 92 illustrated in FIG. 1 for theenclosure or housing configuration 14 of the hand held spray memberimplementation is exemplary in nature, it being understood that anysuitable industrial design for the housing could be used. What iscritical is that the design is capable of being hand held and furthersupport a suitably positioned trigger-type controller 24 functionalityon the outside surface of the housing. The illustration in FIG. 2 of atraditional gun-shaped housing design with a barrel and handle for thehand held spray member is not to be considered as critical or limiting.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the use of only a single air outlet34, it will be understood that two (or more) air outlets could insteadbe provided (for example, one above and one below nozzle spray jetoutlet 32). What is desired in a moving nozzle 30 implementation, likethat provided with a hand held spray member implementation, is that anair outlet 34 providing heated air in an air stream 37 be located on atleast the leading edge of the predominant direction of nozzle motionduring spraying (for example, with an upward motion in the case of theillustrated hand held spray member and nozzle). The air outlet 34 isconfigured to deliver the heated air stream 37 into the spray cloud 33,and it is an advantage of the disclosed system that this heated air isdelivered towards the customer and is felt on the customer's skin whenor before the spray cloud 33 impacts the customer's skin. In the case ofan embodiment with two air outlets 34, these outlets are preferablypositioned so as to direct an air stream 37 on both the leading edge 39and trailing edge (reference 41, FIG. 1) of the spray cloud 33 withrespect to the predominant direction (for example, vertical) of handheld spray member movement so as to allow for an optimal mixing of warmair with the spray cloud (on the leading edge) and provide a dryingeffect after the spray passes over the skin (on the trailing edge).

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates a cross sectional viewof a portion of the hand held spray member shown in FIG. 2. The nozzle30 used in this implementation is of an HVLP type, but could compriseany air-assisted atomizing nozzle needing a relatively higher pressureair flow for creating the spray cloud. The nozzle 30 includes a spoolvalve 100 which operates (either manually, or perhaps responsive tocontroller 24) to control the flow of received heated air to (and amongand between) the relatively higher pressure atomizing and patternshaping air ports 90 and 91 and to the relatively lower pressure“supplemental” air outlet 34 on the front of the nozzle. Liquid forspraying is passed from liquid valve 52 by the internal ducting 50 tothe nozzle spray jet outlet 32 where it is atomized in response to therelatively higher pressure air supplied at the air port 91 to form theatomized spray cloud and pattern shaped in response to the relativelyhigher pressure air supplied at the air ports 90 shape the atomizedspray cloud (for example, into a fan-like pattern). Heated air is passedby internal ducting 51 and distributed among and between the higherpressure air ports 90 and 91 and the lower pressure air outlet 34. Theamount of heated air delivered to the air ports 90 and 91 and the airoutlet 34 is proportionally adjusted by actuation of the spool valve100. The proportional adjustment is preferably made under the control ofthe user (in a manual operation, or responsive to the controller 24).For example, the proportional adjustment may be effected by the userthrough the trigger-type controller (reference 24, FIG. 1).Alternatively, the proportional adjustment is effected by the userthrough a manual actuation of the spool valve 100 using a control knob(reference 98, FIG. 2) positioned on the external surface of the handheld spray member enclosure 14.

In an alternative configuration, the air ports 90 may be configured tonot only shape the atomized spray cloud but also to provide heated airfor purposes of warming the spray cloud. In this implementation, the“supplemental” air outlet 34 could be eliminated. To implement thisconfiguration, however, the internal ducting of the nozzle 30 isconfigured so that the pattern shaping air ports receive the heated air.Additionally, the pattern shaping air ports 90 must be designed to berelatively lower pressure outlets (in comparison to the air atomizingoutlets) that do not induce a nozzle cooling effect on the spray cloud.An example of such a configuration is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,described below where one or more of the outlets 34 may additionally beconfigured to assist in pattern shaping as well as warming the spraycloud. In instances where higher pressure ports are needed to producethe desired pattern shaping and spreading of the spray cloud, it will benecessary to further include the “supplemental” air outlet 34 as a lowpressure port supplying heated air for the purpose of warming the spraycloud.

While FIG. 3 shows that the atomizing air port 91 also receives heatedair, it will be understood that the ducting of the nozzle 30 may beconfigured to instead supply ambient air to the atomizing air port 91while the air heating system (reference 54, FIG. 1) is provided withinthe ducting leading to the pattern shaping air ports 90.

Although FIG. 3 illustrates that the air channel 96 coupled to thepattern shaping outlets 90 and the air channel 97 coupled to the airatomization outlet 91 are connected to receive a common supply of air atarea 99, it will be understood that the air channel coupled to thepattern shaping outlets 90 could instead be connected receive the samesupply of air as the air outlet 34 at area 95. This could beaccomplished by forming a ducting connection as shown by the dotted line98 between area 95 and the air channel 96 (and severing the connectionbetween area 99 and the air channel 96).

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show that by rotating the spool valve 100 heated aircan be proportionally directed between the air outlet 34 and the sprayatomization and/or pattern shaping outlets 90 and 91. In this way thenozzle 30 can be controlled to support multiple modes of operation.

In a first mode, as shown in FIG. 4A, the spool valve 100 is controlledto be in a position for directing heated air received from ducting 51 tothe lower pressure “supplemental” air outlet 34 (but not the higherpressure atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91) via the area 95and along path 102. In the first mode, the controller may additionallyturn off the valve (reference 52, FIG. 1) supplying spray liquid to thenozzle spray jet outlet 32 over ducting 50. It will be recognized thatin this first mode, with the alternative configuration including thedotted line 98 connection from area 95 to air channel 96 (as shown inFIG. 3), heated air received from ducting 51 would be directed by thevalve 100 to both the “supplemental” air outlet 34 and to the patternshaping ports 90 (but not the atomizing port 91).

In a second mode, as shown in FIG. 4B, the spool valve 100 is controlledto be in a position for directing air to the higher pressure atomizingand pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 (but not the lower pressure“supplemental” air outlet 34) via area 99 and along paths 104 and 106.In the second mode, the controller may additionally turn on the valve(reference 52, FIG. 1) supplying spray liquid to the nozzle spray jetoutlet 32 over ducting 50. It will be recognized that in this secondmode, with the alternative configuration including the dotted line 98connection from area 95 to air channel 96 (as shown in FIG. 3), heatedair received from ducting 51 would be directed by the valve 100 to theair atomizing port 91 (but not the “supplemental” air outlet 34 andpattern shaping ports 90).

In a third mode, as shown in FIG. 4C, the spool valve 100 is controlledto be in a position for directing air (in a selected proportion) to boththe higher pressure atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 andthe lower pressure “supplemental” air outlet 34 along paths 102, 104 and106 in a proportional manner. The atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90and 91 receive air from area 99 while the “supplemental” air outlet 34receives air from area 95, the amount of air in each area beingproportionally controlled by the position of the valve 100. In thisthird mode, because the supplied air is being proportionally sharedbetween the atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90 and 91 and the“supplemental” air outlet 34, it may be necessary for the controller toadditionally control the liquid flow valve (reference 52, FIG. 1) andthe amount liquid being delivered to the nozzle spray jet outlet 32 overducting 50. Alternatively, if a pressurized liquid reservoir (tank) isused, the user may instead selectively perform a venting action toreduce liquid pressure within the tank in proportion to the reduction ofair being supplied to the atomizing and pattern shaping ports 90. Itwill be recognized that in this third mode, with the alternativeconfiguration including the dotted line 98 connection from area 95 toair channel 96 (as shown in FIG. 3), a different proportionalrelationship with respect to the delivery of heated air to the patternshaping ports 90 is provided because the pattern shaping ports 90 willreceive air from area 95 instead of area 99.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which schematically illustrates analternative implementation of a spraying system 10 adapted for use, forexample, in a hand held spraying application. The use in FIG. 5 ofstructures and reference numbers identical to those shown in FIG. 1indicates the use in FIG. 5 of same or similar components. Furtherdescription of those same or similar components will not be provided inconnection with the description of FIG. 5 unless necessary to explainadditional components and features.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14is an air ionization system 60 coupled to the ducting 51 which deliversheated air to the air outlet 34. The air ionization system 60 functionsto ionize the heated air which forms the air stream 37. The airionization system 60 may receive power from the same external powersupply which supplies power to the heating system 54. The ionization ofthe air delivered from the air outlets of the system will assist incharging the spray cloud so as to improve coating uniformity and reduceoverspray.

Further supported by the support, enclosure or housing configuration 14is an electrostatics system 61 coupled to the nozzle 30 which, in apreferred implementation, inductively charges the spray cloud 33 outputfrom the nozzle jet 32. The electrostatics system 61 may receive powerfrom the same external power supply which supplies power to the heatingsystem 54. It will be understood, however, that other forms ofelectrostatic charging may be implemented, including contact charging inwhich the electrostatic charge is applied to the liquid which isreceived by the hand held spray member. Electrostatically charging thespray cloud will improve coating uniformity and reduce overspray.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6A which shows a side view of anelectrostatic air-atomizing nozzle 30 adapted with supplemental airoutlets 34 for use in the system 10 of FIG. 1 (and specifically forinstallation within a hand held spray member enclosure). The nozzle 30includes a first air inlet 110 associated with the ducting within thehand held spray member to receive the higher pressure air required foratomization at the spray jet outlet 32 of the liquid received at aliquid inlet 112 associated with the ducting (reference 50, FIG. 1)within the hand held spray member. This atomization air is supplied bythe internal ducting to the high pressure atomization air port 91annularly surrounding the spray jet outlet 32. The nozzle 30 furtherincludes a second air inlet 114 associated with the ducting (reference51, FIG. 1) within the hand held spray member to receive heated air fordelivery to the low pressure “supplemental” air outlet(s) 34.Appropriately configured ducting is provided within the nozzle body 116to couple the supplemental air inlet 114 to the supplemental air outlets34 in the nozzle cap 118. FIG. 6B shows a front view of the nozzle ofFIG. 6A. The supplemental air outlets 34 for supplying warming/dryingair are positioned to surround the jet spray outlet 32. In addition, oneor more of these outlets 34 may also be positioned and configured tofunction to shape the spray pattern, for example, shape the spray cloudinto a flat fan-like spray shape, and thus could comprise patternshaping air ports 90.

It will be understood that an electrostatic nozzle is shown in FIG. 6A(with electrostatic control voltage applied through signal line 120),but that the nozzle of FIG. 6A could, if desired, omit the includedelectrostatic charging apparatus and operate instead as a conventional,non-electrostatic, air atomizing nozzle (with supplemental air ports asshown).

The system 10 supports a controlled spraying and drying operation. Thisoperation includes using the hand held spray member and the heated airstream 37 in one or more passes over the skin of the customer. Thisheated air treatment serves one primary purpose of warming the skin ofthe customer in anticipation of a subsequent liquid spraying. Next, thehand held spray member with the jet outlet 32 and air outlet 34 is usedin one or more passes to spray a skin treatment liquid over thecustomer's skin. The heated air stream 37 in this step is used to warmthe spray cloud 33 produced by the nozzle 30. More particularly, theheated air stream 37 is directed at the leading edge of the spray cloud33 as the hand held spray member moves along the customer's skin andapplies the liquid. A heated air stream 37 may additionally be directedat the trailing edge of the spray cloud to initiate a drying of the skinsurface. Last, the hand held spray member and the heated air stream 37alone is used in one or more passes over the skin of the customer. Thisheated air treatment serves two purposes: a) it dries the skin quicklyafter spraying which has been shown to enhance the end result of thespraying; and b) it keeps the customer warm (perhaps in anticipation ofa subsequent spraying). The foregoing operations may then be repeatedfor those applications which require multiple spray passes (such as toprovided thicker coverage or to change liquid application).

The system 10 described herein supports exercising control over theoperation of the heated air flow, heat levels, nozzle operation, liquidselection, and nozzle movement. An exemplary sequence of operationscomprises: pre-heating of spray area (target) with heated air;application of a first spray solution (with or without heated air); adrying cycle using heated air application; application of a second spraysolution (with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated airapplication; application of a third spray solution (with or withoutheated air); and a final drying cycle using heated air application.Another exemplary sequence of operations comprises: pre-heating of sprayarea with heated air; first pass application of a first spray solution(with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated airapplication; second pass application of the same first spray solution(with or without heated air); a drying cycle using heated airapplication; first pass application of a second spray solution (with orwithout heated air); a drying cycle using heated air application; secondpass application of the same second spray solution (with or withoutheated air); and a final drying cycle using heated air application.

Improved results using the apparatus and process described herein, witha trial using DHA (dihydroxyacetone) based sunless tanning compounds,include:

-   -   Increased tan color by allowing higher quantities of sprayed        active ingredient to be deposited due to a layering process        where the spray is applied; the skin is re-dried quickly by the        warm air flow before another spray pass over the same target        area;    -   Promotes deeper activity of DHA by drying the top layer of skin        completely and possibly by drying inner layers of the stratum        corneum skin layer; this results in longer lasting tan color;    -   Opens skin surface pores to allow for better penetration of        tanning compound and skin care ingredients;    -   Properly controlled heated air dries the skin of any        perspiration or other moisture, including the water based spray        itself, that may cause an uneven tanning effect and prevent        penetration into skin layers;    -   Prevents dripping or streaking of the sprayed material during        the tanning process which can cause an uneven tanning result;        and    -   Eliminates the step of drying the skin off with a towel which        causes partial removal and disturbance of the evenly deposited        layer from the spray application.

Although preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of thepresent invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings anddescribed in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but iscapable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth anddefined by the following claims.

1. Apparatus, comprising: a hand held spray member; a spray nozzlesupported by the hand held spray member, the spray nozzle including aspray jet outlet adapted to spray a skin treatment liquid from the spraynozzle and produce a finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatmentliquid; a warm air outlet separate from the spray jet outlet, the warmair outlet adapted to deliver heated air in a warm air stream directedto mix with and warm the finely atomized spray cloud produced by thespray jet outlet; and a controller adapted to control actuation of thespray nozzle.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heatingunit supported by the hand held spray member and adapted to heat the airdelivered to the warm air outlet for the warm air stream.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the spray jet outlet is adapted to spraythe skin treatment liquid along a first trajectory and the warm airoutlet is adapted to deliver the heated air in the warm air stream alonga second trajectory, further wherein the first and second trajectoriesintersect each other such that the heated air in the warm air streammixes with the finely atomized spray cloud.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the spray jet outlet is adapted to spray the skin treatmentliquid along a first trajectory and the warm air outlet is adapted todeliver the heated air in the warm air stream along a second trajectory,further wherein the second trajectory is oriented to mix the heated airin the warm air stream into one of a leading or trailing edge of thefinely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzleinduces a drop in temperature of the skin treatment liquid within thefinely atomized spray cloud due to a nozzle expansion effect, andwherein the warm air stream directed to mix with the finely atomizedspray cloud counteract the induced drop in temperature.
 6. The apparatusof claim 2, wherein the controller is adapted to control operation ofthe apparatus in a plurality of modes including: a first mode whereinthe warm air stream is delivered from the warm air outlet simultaneouslywith production of the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatmentliquid at the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle for the purpose ofwarming the finely atomized spray cloud; and a second mode wherein thewarm air stream is delivered from the warm air outlet absent productionof the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid for thepurpose of drying a target surface on which the production of the finelyatomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid is deposited.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle is an air-assistedatomizing type nozzle including at least one atomizing air port, andwherein received air for use in providing the warm air stream at thewarm air outlet is also supplied to the atomizing air port of theair-assisted atomizing type nozzle for use in atomizing the skintreatment liquid at the spray jet outlet.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7,further comprising a valve supported by the hand held spray member thatis adapted to selectively direct the received air towards one or both ofthe atomizing air port of the air-assisted atomizing type nozzle and thewarm air outlet.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the valve has acontrollable position, wherein the controllable position includes: afirst position for directing received air towards the at least oneatomizing air port; a second position for directing received air towardsthe warm air outlet; and a third position for directing received airtowards both the at least one atomizing air port and the warm airoutlet.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further including means forimparting an electrostatic charge on the finely atomized spray cloud.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises atriggering mechanism to control actuation of the spray nozzle.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve supported by the handheld spray member and adapted to selectively pass skin treatment liquidto the spray jet outlet.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising an inlet adapted to receive the skin treatment liquid. 14.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the inlet is further adapted to becoupled to a container which is adapted to hold the skin treatmentliquid.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a receptaclesupported by the hand held spray member and adapted to receive thecontainer holding the skin treatment liquid.
 16. The apparatus of claim1, further including means for ionizing the air in the warm air stream.17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the warm air outlet is furtheradapted to deliver heated air in the warm air stream directed to shape aspray pattern of the finely atomized spray cloud produced by the sprayjet outlet.
 18. Apparatus for hand held spraying, comprising: a housingadapted to be held by a human hand; a spray nozzle mounted to thehousing, the spray nozzle including a spray jet outlet adapted to spraya skin treatment liquid from the spray nozzle and produce a finelyatomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid for deposition on atarget surface; at least one auxiliary air outlet mounted to the housingseparate from spray jet outlet, said auxiliary air outlet adapted todeliver a stream of heated air; and a controller operable to selectivelyactuate the spray jet outlet and support operation of the apparatus forhand held spraying in: a first operating mode operable to direct thestream of heated air to mix with the finely atomized spray cloudproduced by the spray jet outlet so as to warm a temperature of thefinely atomized spray cloud which has been cooled by nozzle expansioneffect at the spray jet outlet of the spray nozzle; and a second modeoperable to direct the stream of heated air in the absence of productionof the finely atomized spray cloud of the skin treatment liquid from thespray jet outlet of the spray nozzle so as to dry the target surfaceupon which the skin treatment liquid was deposited.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, further comprising a heating source adapted to supply theheated air to the auxiliary air outlet.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19,wherein the heating source is mounted within the housing.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the spray jet outlet is adapted to spraythe skin treatment liquid along a first trajectory and the air outlet isadapted to deliver the stream of heated air along a second trajectory,further wherein the second trajectory is oriented to mix the stream ofheated air into one of a leading or trailing edge of the finely atomizedspray cloud of the skin treatment liquid.
 22. The apparatus of claim 18,wherein the spray nozzle is an air-assisted atomizing type nozzleincluding at least one atomizing air port, and wherein received air foruse in providing the stream of heated air at the air outlet is alsosupplied to the atomizing air port of the air-assisted atomizing typenozzle for use in atomizing the skin treatment liquid at the spray jetoutlet.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a valvemounted within the housing and adapted to selectively direct thereceived air towards one or both of the atomizing air port of theair-assisted atomizing type nozzle and the air outlet.
 24. The apparatusof claim 23, wherein the valve has a controllable position, wherein thecontrollable position includes: a first position for directing receivedair towards the at least one atomizing air port; a second position fordirecting received air towards the air outlet; and a third position fordirecting received air towards both the at least one atomizing air portand the air outlet.
 25. The apparatus of claim 18, further includingmeans for imparting an electrostatic charge on the finely atomized spraycloud.
 26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller comprises atriggering mechanism to control actuation of the spray nozzle.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 18, further comprising a valve mounted within thehousing and adapted to selectively pass skin treatment liquid to thespray jet outlet.
 28. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising aninlet adapted to receive the skin treatment liquid.
 29. The apparatus ofclaim 28, wherein the inlet is further adapted to be coupled to acontainer which is adapted to hold the skin treatment liquid.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 29, further comprising a receptacle supported by thehand held spray member and adapted to receive the container holding theskin treatment liquid.
 31. The apparatus of claim 18, further includingmeans for ionizing the stream of heated air.
 32. The apparatus of claim18, wherein the at least one auxiliary air outlet is further adapted todeliver the stream of heated air to shape a spray pattern of the finelyatomized spray cloud produced by the spray jet outlet.